As a result of a search warrant executed at a residence in Sylvan Lake, a 30-year-old Sylvan Lake resident is facing several charges relating to production and passing counterfeit currency.

On March 2, 2017 the Sylvan Lake RCMP launched an investigation after a local business reported that a male had tried to pass a counterfeit $20 bill.

The bill was seized by the RCMP and the suspect male identified by RCMP.

Information was received that several local businesses had been paid with counterfeit currency for various goods and services by this same male.

On March 4, 2017 a search warrant was executed at the suspect’s residence where large amounts of counterfeit Canadian currency were located.

Other items including a cell phone and Playstation that were determined to be purchased with counterfeit currency were seized.

Ryan James Bain has been charged criminally with:

- Uttering counterfeit money (x 5)
- Possession of property obtained by crime (x 2)
- Making counterfeit money (x 4)
- Possession of counterfeit money
- Possession of tools or instruments intended for the use of making counterfeit money.

Bain is scheduled to appear in the Provincial Court of Alberta in Red Deer on Friday April 7, 2017.

The RCMP would like to acknowledge that the local businesses reporting these incidents were diligent in recognizing that they were dealing with counterfeit currency.

Police remind area residents and businesses that if they are unsure of the authenticity of any Currency, to check for the security features that should be present.

More information on Security Features found in Canadian notes can be found the Bank of Canada's website at www.bankofcanada.ca